Regulars and workers on the Block expected to hear that the multi-building blaze was sparked by someone.

“Doesn’t surprise me. There are a lot of guys that squat in the back of the buildings and, you know, they go in buildings and smoke or whatever they’re smoking. It doesn’t surprise,” Branch said.

“It’s not surprising. There are so many people around here, foot traffic, that you never know what could happen,” said Ryan Branski.

Investigators will call this arson if the person responsible meant to burn down the building.

“It’s an issue of intent. It was set because of human involvement but it hasn’t been determined if that was intentional involvement or unintentional involvement,” said Ray Obrocki, Baltimore Fire Department.

Investigators aren’t releasing the exact location of where the fire started. But according to WJZ’s media partner, The Baltimore Sun, a man seeking shelter from the cold started the fire in a booth at the Gayety Club.

The ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information to solve this case.

I’d wait to hear the official report. A few years ago Channel 13 reported that a bar that some of my friends owned burned down and they implied that it could have been arson. It was actually an electrical fire and my friends almost died. So, there’s a good chance this story is up just to sensationalize this fire as well.

Check out SinInMobtown.blogspot.com for the most accurate and intensive archives of The Block’s history from 1900 to present. It reveals the secrets, lies and scandals of this historic Baltimore landmark. History isn’t fun if it isn’t juicy!